JP2002063092A - Information-providing system, information-providing device, server, toy, information-providing method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a series of actions from the identification of a toy to the provision of information related to the toy, so that even a child can easily operate these, and to provide a toy satisfactory in both durability and price by adding this function thereto. SOLUTION: A reader 200 detects toy data stored in the toy 300 by data transmission conducted between the reader 200 and the toy 300 by a non-contact data carrier system. Based on the toy data detected by the reader 200, a personal computer 100 provides information related to the toy 300.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information providing system, an information providing apparatus, a server, a toy, an information providing method, and a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to accessing external information based on information recorded in a toy, The present invention relates to a system for providing information related to a toy or the like to a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As toys that imitate a specific object form, there are a model called a minicar in the form of a car and a model in the form of a cartoon character. These toys, which are represented by an expression method (imitation of shape) that can recall a car or a character from the appearance, are generally played by moving by hand, or running and operating with a motor. Also, as one type of toy, a character card on which various forms of a character are printed is known. The character card reminds the user of a specific character by an expression method such as printing a picture or a photograph on the surface.

[0003] Such toys are difficult to break even when handled roughly by children, are easy to operate,
It is desirable that it be inexpensive. Therefore, adding a new function to a toy for which these are required is not only likely to be expensive, but also tends to cause problems such as complicated playing and breakage. For these reasons, it is not easy to further increase the added value of the toy as a product while satisfying the above three requirements.

On the other hand, with the rapid spread of various networks typified by the Internet and the like, users can easily obtain various information by accessing various information (information resources) existing on the network. Can be. In addition, in order to differentiate information provided to users and improve added value, a technique of providing information that cannot be obtained by general users only to member users (a so-called membership site) has been widely adopted. On the membership site,
The user authentication performed to distinguish the member user from the others is performed by using an I.sub.
This is generally performed using authentication information such as D and a password.

[0005] For example, a user who has purchased a personal computer obtains a member-specific ID or the like by performing user registration with a personal computer maker. By inputting such information and obtaining user authentication, it is possible to receive a service different from that of a general user on the homepage of the manufacturer, for example, a software download service for the personal computer.

[0006]

With respect to the above-mentioned toys, if they are authorized users and can receive various services (information provision), new value can be added to the toys and products for customers can be added. The appeal can be improved. At this time, if the toy itself can be identified and different information can be provided for each toy, type or form of the toy, the added value of the toy can be further increased. For example, different information is prepared for each model of a model, and only a user having a model of a specific model makes information on the actual vehicle or the model (for example,
Such as running scene images and action games). In this case, since the user's willingness to collect the model can be increased, it can be expected that new demand will be stimulated. However, as described above, the user of the toy is mainly a child, and the work of operating a computer and inputting an ID is often difficult or unfamiliar, so that operability is a problem.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to add a new function to a toy that expresses a specific object in an expression that can be recalled from the appearance,
The goal is to further enhance product appeal.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the problem of operability or durability, which is a problem in commercializing such a toy, and to provide a toy that is easy for children to handle.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the increase in the price of a toy due to the provision of a new function.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a first invention is a toy in which a reader is stored in a toy by data transmission between the reader and the toy by a non-contact data carrier system. Information, and based on the toy information detected by the reader,
An information providing system for providing related information related to a toy is provided. This information providing apparatus obtains related information provided to a user by accessing an external storage unit based on toy information.

Here, in the first invention, the external storage means may be a server (for example, a server providing homepage information on the Internet) connected via a network, or may be exchangeable or updated. A storage medium separate from a possible information providing device (for example, a CD-ROM)
Or FD). The term “access” refers to input / output of data with respect to the storage unit, that is, exchange of data.

Further, the information providing device may provide the related information by using an image and / or a sound.

[0013] Of course, the information providing device is provided with an image and / or
Alternatively, it may be a dedicated device for providing related information by voice, or may be an electronic device capable of displaying or outputting sound, such as a personal computer or a TV.

Further, the reader has an interrogator of a non-contact data carrier system, and the toy has a transponder of the non-contact data carrier system and a storage medium for storing toy information. You may.

According to the above configuration of the first invention, when the toy information is detected by the reader, the corresponding related information is automatically provided by the information providing device. However, the user can easily see and hear the related information. In addition, by using the related information as information that introduces the real thing that the toy represents or introduces the toy itself, interesting video and audio that can stir the imagination of the user (mainly a child) who owns the toy Can be provided, and added value to toys can be increased. Further, since the related information is obtained by accessing the external storage means, the information providing apparatus can always obtain the latest information by updating the information stored in the external storage means. is there.

Further, access to an external storage means may be performed based on the access date and time. In that case, for example, various interesting related information can be provided according to the date and time, such as summer and winter, and day and night.

Further, since the toy is provided with a non-contact data carrier system transponder, the toy can be satisfactory in terms of durability and price.

[0018] The toy may further store charging information, and the information providing device may access an external storage means based on the toy information and the charging information.

For example, the billing information stored in the toy is decremented each time the toy is accessed with the external storage means, and when the billing information is lost, access to the external storage means becomes impossible. Is possible. For this reason,
The value of the related information obtained by accessing the external storage means can be further increased. Note that the access based on the billing information is performed by the information providing apparatus, and therefore does not cause a new trouble for the user (child).

Further, it may be configured such that necessary information is obtained by accessing homepage information published on the Internet based on toy information.

Thus, an information providing apparatus which automatically accesses a homepage relating to toys and which can be easily operated even by a child can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the reader detects login information or counterpart address information stored in the storage medium by data transfer between the reader and the storage medium by a non-contact data carrier system, and the reader detects the information. The information providing apparatus provides an information providing system that provides related information related to the storage medium based on the obtained information. The information providing apparatus obtains related information by accessing homepage information published on the Internet based on login information or partner address information.

Here, in the second invention, the storage medium may be an IC card or an IC tag, or may be a figure such as a doll or a model. To be misleading,
As will be described repeatedly, the storage medium is not a simple storage medium such as an FD or a memory, but is a medium having a storage medium, and includes an IC card having an animated character printed on its surface, a doll, and the like.

According to the second aspect of the invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to access a homepage on the Internet according to the login information or the counterpart address information stored in the storage medium. For this reason, since the storage medium and the login information or the counterpart address information can be handled as one body, the storage medium producer can be provided with various forms of storage medium. For example, various storage media such as a storage medium of an IC card on which a photograph of an image character is printed and a storage medium of a figure imitating an animated character are provided together with login information or counterpart address information corresponding to the storage medium. be able to.

Further, the server is a server that provides related information to the information providing apparatus in response to access by the information providing apparatus referred to in the first invention, and publishes the related information on the Internet. This may be performed based on predetermined homepage information.

In such a configuration, the side providing the related information,
That is, the server administrator can collectively manage the related information as the homepage information, thereby improving the maintainability of the information relating to the toy.

In this case, a predetermined access restriction based on toy information may be added to the homepage information. In such a case, the value of the homepage information can be increased because the homepage information cannot be viewed unless the user is a legitimate user who owns the toy.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an information providing system capable of transmitting information between an information providing apparatus and a server via a network, a specific object is represented by an expression technique that allows a user to recall from the appearance. A toy in which access information that can be read from the outside is stored, a server that stores information on a specific object or a toy representing the specific object, a network in which the access information stored in the toy is read, and a network is read from the read access information. By accessing the information on the server side where the above address is specified,
Provided is an information providing system having an information providing device for providing a user with related information related to a specific target or a toy representing the specific object.

Here, in the third invention, the information providing device has an interrogator in a non-contact data carrier system, and the toy has an interrogator on the information device side and a transponder capable of data transfer. Is preferred.

Further, different access information may be stored in the toy according to its type or form, and different information may be stored in the server according to the type or form of the toy. In this case, the related information provided to the user from the information providing device may be different depending on the type or form of the toy.

Further, the toy has an expression reminding the user of a specific subject, and the related information provided to the user by the information providing device may be information related to the subject. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy in which a specific object is represented by an expression technique that allows a user to recall from the appearance, a storage unit storing predetermined access information, and the access information stored in the storage unit. There is provided a toy having control means for controlling storage means for outputting to the outside. This access information is associated with an address of information relating to a specific target or a toy representing the specific target stored on the server side existing on the network.

Here, in the fourth invention, it is preferable that the control means is a transponder in a non-contact data carrier system.

The storage means stores different access information according to the type and form of the toy, and stores the address of the information to be accessed stored on the server side on the external system side for reading the access information. It may be specified based on the correspondence between the access information and the address set in advance, or the address itself of the information to be accessed stored on the server side.

Further, the access information may be made different depending on the type or form of the toy.

Further, the toy has an expression reminding the user of a specific subject, and the access information includes:
It may be associated with an address of information on a specific subject stored on the server side existing on the network.

Further, the storage means may store authentication information necessary for authentication performed when accessing information stored in a server existing on the network, and may store the authentication information required for the server existing on the network. Charging information for controlling the user's access to the information stored on the side may be stored.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy in which a specific provider providing a network service is represented by an expression technique that allows a user to recall from the appearance, and a setting on a user terminal side required to receive the network service provided by the provider Provided is a toy including a storage unit in which information is stored, and a control unit that controls the storage unit in order to output setting information stored in the storage unit to the outside.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in an information providing apparatus for providing information to a user by transmitting information to a server via a network, an expression that allows the user to recall a specific object from the appearance From the toys expressed by the method,
Control means for reading the access information recorded in the toy, and in order to provide the user with the relevant information related to the specific object or the toy representing it, in accordance with the address specified from the read access information And an information providing device having a communication unit for receiving information from a server.

Here, in the sixth invention, it is preferable that the control means includes an interrogator in a contactless data carrier system.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server in which an address on a network is specified by access information recorded on a toy which expresses a specific object by an expression method that allows a user to recall the external object from the appearance, and the specific object or the specific object is referred to. Storage means for storing information about the represented toy, and communication means for transmitting the information stored in the storage means to the user system in response to a request from the user system that has read the access information recorded on the toy. Provide a server that has

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in an information providing method for providing information to a user by transmitting information to and from a server via a network, an expression that allows the user to recall a specific object from the appearance From the toys expressed by the method,
Reading the access information recorded on the toy, requesting the information stored in the server according to the address specified by the read access information, and specifying the information based on the information received from the server. Providing the user with relevant information related to the target of the above or the toy representing the target.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing an information providing method for providing information to a user by transmitting information to a server via a network. In the medium, reading the access information recorded on the toy from a toy that represents a specific target in a representation method that a user can recall from the appearance, and according to the address specified from the read access information, the server side Requesting information stored in the server, and providing the user with relevant information related to a specific target or a toy representing the target based on the information received from the server side. Recording medium is provided.

[0044]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) as an information providing apparatus will be described. However, the information providing device operated by the user is not limited to this, and a desktop personal computer, a home game machine, a digital TV transmitting / receiving device, a dedicated system, or the like may be used. However, as a condition of the information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is necessary that the user system is at least capable of accessing information stored in the toy as described later.

First, a data carrier system, which is one of important technologies for realizing the information providing system according to the present embodiment, will be briefly described. The data carrier system is composed of an interrogator and a transponder,
The transponder generates an identification signal in response to the radio wave transmitted from the interrogator. As such a data carrier system, a contactless IC card is best known as a transponder.

As a non-contact type IC card (responder),
Close contact type (ISO / IEC10536), proximity type (ISO
/ IEC14443), neighborhood type (ISO / IEC156)
93), a microwave type is known. Generally, an LSI chip, a capacitor, and a winding coil are mounted in the card, and data communication with a reader / writer device (interrogator) is performed by an electromagnetic induction method. As a type of transponder, a key ring, a button, and the like have been developed and put into practical use as an IC tag instead of an IC card.

These transponders are of a non-contact type, and the power is supplied to an LSI or the like mounted in the transponder by an electromagnetic induction effect of a radio wave transmitted from the interrogator. No need to have. For this reason, the transponder is excellent in environmental resistance such as damage and abrasion, and maintainability. A data carrier system having such advantages is a technique most suitable for adopting mainly in toys handled by children.

The purpose of these conventional data carrier systems is to use a non-contact type IC as a kind of ID.
The present invention provides a simple identification method such that an employee number of an employee having a card (response device) can be identified from a remote position. The above is the outline of the data carrier system.

Next, the overall configuration of the information providing system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a personal computer 10
0, a reader 200 connected to the personal computer 100,
It is a figure showing a toy 300. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire information providing system.

In FIG. 1, a toy 300 is a model (mini car) representing the appearance of a real vehicle to be imaged by means of imitation, and stores various information including “access information” that can be output to the outside. Have been. Here, the “access information” refers to information necessary for accessing specific “information” stored outside the toy 300. The "information" here includes not only information resources existing on the network but also local information existing on the personal computer 100 side corresponding to the information providing apparatus. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, an ID code (toy information) uniquely assigned to the toy 300 is used as access information. Further, the toy 300 has a built-in transponder 310 (see FIG. 10) as a data carrier.
In a state in which a program to be described later is resident or started, the reader 200 performs data communication with the transponder 310 in the toy 300, so that information stored in the toy 300 is read out to the personal computer 100 side. Then, the personal computer 100 is connected to the transponder 310, that is, the toy 30.
Identify 0. Then, triggered by the identification of the toy 300, the following operation is automatically performed on the personal computer 100 side.

That is, when the user places the toy 300, which is a car-shaped model, on the reader 200, the toy 300 is identified by the reader 200. And
“Related information” related to the toy 300 itself, or the toy 3
"Related information" related to the real car represented by 00 is provided to the user. Here, the “related information” refers to information having a direct or indirect relationship with the toy 300 itself or the object (real vehicle) that it represents. In addition, the relevance to the object to be imaged is not limited to the actual vehicle that the toy 300 represents, but in a broader sense also includes general automobiles, and furthermore, a specific entity such as a manufacturer or a sales maker of the actual vehicle. May be included.
As such related information, for example, detailed information on the toy 300 and the actual vehicle, a game (action game or puzzle game) in which it appears, a story, information on an entity such as a manufacturer of the actual vehicle (for example, advertisement of the entity) ) And the like. In the present embodiment, the toy 300
Is automatically displayed on the display unit 104 of the personal computer 100, and the engine sound (voice information) of the car is output by the sound output unit 105.
Output.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Can be connected to a wired or wireless network represented by the Internet, and can appropriately access information existing on the network. Although various information (typically, Web contents) exists on such a network, a certain subject (for example, the toy 300
Of the toy 300 or the actual vehicle it represents is included in the server 400 (Web server) of the
b content is stored. Local information stored in the personal computer 100 or W on the network
By appropriately accessing the eb content, the user can browse and enjoy the latest information related to the toy 300 and information that can only be viewed by an authorized user who has the toy 300.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a publicly accessible homepage (hereinafter, the homepage is referred to as “HP”, and the publicly available HP is referred to as “general HP”). FIG. An example of an HP (hereinafter, referred to as “member HP”) will be described. By using a personal computer or the like, a general viewer can view the HP of a maker that manufactures the toy 300 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the user who owns the toy 300 displays the toy 3 on the reader 200.
By placing 00, the toy 300 is identified.
Thereby, the member HP as shown in FIG. 4 is automatically displayed, and the user can access the information stored in the server 400 and accessible only by the member.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the menu page of the member HP. The user can select “Jidoshashakan” or “Catalog” from the menu page by operating the keys of the personal computer 100.
When "Jidosha Shikan" is selected, a type selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 for further selecting the type of the vehicle is displayed, and the target vehicle is specified hierarchically. Related information about the vehicle to be viewed.

In FIG. 4, when "Catalog" is selected, as shown in FIG. 6, information on the actual car represented by the toy 300 is directly displayed. Thereby, the user is provided with the related information regarding the specific actual vehicle that the toy 100 represents.

As described above, the user can view (see and hear) related information related to the toy 300 on the personal computer by placing the toy 300 owned by the user on the reader 200, and thus is a child. It can be easily operated. In addition, since the transponder 310 incorporated in the toy 300 is a non-contact type, the transponder is excellent in contact and wear from the outside, and is excellent in maintainability because a power source or the like is unnecessary. Therefore, the problem relating to operability or durability, which is a problem in commercializing the toy 300, can be solved, and the toy 300 that is easy to handle for children can be realized. Furthermore, since the data carrier system has a relatively simple structure and relatively low component costs, it is possible to suppress an increase in the price of the toy 300 due to the provision of the above-described functions.

Further, by storing the billing information in the transponder 310 of the toy 300, a paid homepage (hereinafter referred to as "paid HP") as shown in FIG. 7 may be browsed. Specifically, a predetermined number of points are stored in the transponder 310 as initial values in advance. Then, every time the pay HP is browsed, a predetermined number, for example, “1” point is subtracted. Then, when the point becomes "0", the pay HP cannot be viewed. In FIG. 7, the pay HP is configured so that two games, a “driving game” and a “puzzle game”, can be enjoyed, and relevant information (driving game or puzzle) according to the selection is provided to the user. Provided. Specifically, when “driving game” is selected, FIG.
Is displayed, and the user can enjoy a driving game in which the user operates a car expressing the toy 300 on the surface. When "puzzle game" is selected, a "puzzle game" in which a picture representing the toy 300 owned by the user is restored as shown in FIG. 9 can be enjoyed.

Next, a hardware configuration for realizing this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the transponder 310 incorporated in the toy 300. The transponder 310 includes a coil 312, a power supply circuit 314, and a response IC 316.
6 has a memory 318 that functions as a storage unit for storing predetermined information. The peripheral circuit integrated in the response IC 316 and the coil 312 function as a control unit for outputting stored information to an external system. The coil 312 performs data communication with the coil 202 (see FIG. 11) of the reader 200 as an interrogator by an electromagnetic induction method, and is configured by a winding coil or the like. The power supply circuit 314 is a circuit that rectifies a current due to electromagnetic induction generated in the coil 312 and supplies a predetermined voltage to the response IC 316, and is configured by a capacitor and the like.

The response IC 316 is automatically activated by the power supplied from the power supply circuit 314,
2 to perform substantial data communication with the reader 200 (interrogator). Specifically, the response IC 316 transmits the ID code 318a, the password 318b, and the billing information 318c stored in the memory 318 to the reader 200 of the personal computer 100 via the coil 312.

FIG. 10B shows an example of an ID code as toy information stored in the memory 318, and FIG. 10C shows a structure of the ID code. In FIG. 10B, I unique to the toy 300 (or may be given according to the type or form of the toy)
“C01-00123” is shown as the D code, in which “C01” indicates the type of the toy 300 (hereinafter referred to as “toy type”), and “00123” indicates the serial number. I have. The toy type is, for example, a model toy 300, a type of toy such as a car-shaped toy of a private car A or a toy shaped as a cartoon character B, and “C01” is Code specifying the type of toy (hereinafter referred to as "toy type code")
That is. The ID code, which is toy information, also functions as access information required to specify the location (address) of specific information on the network.

FIG. 10D shows an example of a password as authentication information necessary for authentication of the toy 300 performed when accessing information on the network.
(E) is a diagram showing an example of billing information for controlling user access to information on the network. A point value of “010” is stored as the password, and a point value of “0500” is stored as the billing information.

The memory 318 can be realized by a RAM, a ROM, or the like. However, when managing the billing information on the toy 300 side, the billing information 318c needs to be rewritable. In this case, as the memory 318 in the response IC 318 that stores the billing information 318c, an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory (typically, an EPR
Preferably, OM or EEPROM is used. In addition,
EEPR also applies to the medium that stores the password 318b.
It may be configured by OM or the like and made rewritable.

FIG. 11 shows a personal computer 100 and a reader 2
It is a figure which shows the functional block with 00. PC 100
Are a CPU 101, a RAM 102, and a ROM 103
, Display unit 104, sound output unit 105, storage unit 106
, An operation unit 107, and a communication unit 108, and each unit is connected to a bus 109 so that mutual data communication is possible. Further, since each function of the personal computer 100 is the same as that of a general personal computer, a description will be given focusing on a characteristic portion according to the present invention.

The storage unit 106 includes a hard disk and a CD-ROM.
It is configured by a ROM or the like and stores data and programs, and includes a storage medium and a read / write device therefor. The programs include a toy recognition program 106a, a toy data output program 106b,
A member HP access program 106c and a pay HP access program 106d are stored, and the data include possessed toy data 106f and access data 106f.
g is stored.

The toy recognition program 106a is a control program for the interrogator control unit 204 of the reader 200, and controls reading of an ID code, reading of a password, and reading and writing of billing information of a toy placed on the reader 200. It is a program to do. That is, in the present embodiment, under the execution of the toy recognition program 106a, the personal computer 100 and the reader 200 cooperate to control the reading (in other words, the access) of the information stored in the toy 300.

The toy data output program 106b is C
This is a program for causing the PU 101 to execute a toy data display process. Specifically, possessed toy data 106f
This is a program that specifies data corresponding to the toy placed on the reader 200 from inside, and causes the display unit 104 to output video and the sound output unit 105 to output sound.

The member HP access program 106c
Is a program that causes the CPU 101 to execute the member HP access process (see FIG. 20), and the pay HP access program 106d is a program that causes the CPU 101 to execute the pay HP access process (see FIG. 21).
Specifically, both programs have access data 106
g, the URL corresponding to the toy 300 placed on the reader 200 is specified, and the U.S.
This is a program for accessing information on a network whose location is specified by the RL. In this access, the ID code and the password read from the toy 300 are output to the server 400 to access the member HP or the paid HP. The address (URL) of the information on the network to be accessed is uniquely identified from the ID code in the toy 300 by referring to a data table described later.

The possessed toy data 106f is a set of data downloaded by accessing the member HP or the like.
FIG. 12 shows an example of possessed toy data 106f. FIG.
In the toy data 106f, toy data relating to the toy type code “C01” and toy data relating to “C02” are stored. That is, the member's HP is accessed using the toys whose toy type codes are “C01” and “C02”, and the toy data is downloaded.

Here, the toy data is data relating to the toy 300, as described with reference to FIG. 6 as the HP of the “catalog”, a video relating to the actual car represented by the toy, an engine sound, and narration. Etc. means image / audio data. The toy data is stored in the storage unit 106 as data that differs for each toy type.

The access data 106g is a data table storing the correspondence between toy types (part of toy information) and URLs of accessible HPs. FIG. 13 shows an example of the access data 106g. In FIG. 13, the access data 106g has a toy type code of “C
00 as the URL of “http: //www.aa
a.aa / member ”and catalog HP as“ ttp: //www.aaa.aa/me
mber / catalog / c00 ”and the billing HP as“ http: //www.aaa.a
a / member / pay ”and the puzzle game HP at“ http: //www.aa
a.aa / member / pay / puzzle / c00 ". The access data 106g stores URLs for all toy type codes irrespective of whether or not the toy is owned by the user. In order to obtain the latest access data, such information may be appropriately updated when accessing the member HP.

As described above, by referring to the data table shown in FIG. 13, if the toy information (ID code) of a certain toy 300 is given, the location of the information on the accessible network is uniquely specified. Is done. Therefore, since the toy information indirectly defines the address of the information existing on the network, it can be regarded as the access information described above. In other words, the toy information, which is one mode of the access information, is associated with a specific object stored on the server side existing on the network or the address of information on the toy representing the specific object. Also, toys 3 in the same category (ie, automobile)
Different catalog HP and puzzle game HP for each type of 00
Are set, but the content differs depending on the type (or form) of the toy 300. Therefore, the related information provided to the user includes the toy 300
Differs depending on the type or the form. For example, a user who has a toy 300 imitating a sports car can browse a sports car catalog and a click movie in which it appears, and can also enjoy a drive game and the like. On the other hand, the user having the toy 300 imitating a fire truck can view a catalog of the fire truck and a click movie in which it appears, and can also enjoy a fire fighting game in a building.

The CPU 101 reads the program stored in the storage unit 106 and executes a process according to the program. As a result, information such as display of an image on the display unit 104 or output of sound (including music and voice) from the sound output unit 105 is provided to the user. The CPU 101 also executes a process of storing a processing result in the storage unit 106.

The RAM 102 forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing data executed by the CPU 101 and the like.
It stores initial data at the time of startup, an IPL program, and the like. The display unit 104 displays and outputs video data and the like specified by the CPU 101.
Etc. The sound output unit 105 includes the CPU 10
1 outputs sound data or the like designated by 1 as sound, and is constituted by a speaker or the like. Communication unit 10
Reference numeral 8 denotes a device for connecting the personal computer 100 to the Internet and browsing the HP on the server 400, and includes a modem, a TA, a DSU, and the like. Operation unit 107
Is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs an instruction input by a user to the CPU 101.

The reader 200 is an interrogator composed of a coil 202 and an interrogator controller 204. The reader 200 and the toy transponder 310 constitute a data carrier system, and the reader 200 It performs data communication between them. Further, the interrogator control unit 204 has a CPU
In accordance with the instruction signal input from 101, coil 202
The data communication with the transponder 310 is performed by changing the amount of current and the voltage value flowing through the transponder. Further, the interrogator control unit 204 outputs a communication result to the CPU 101.

The data communication between the reader 200 and the personal computer 100 may be serial communication using RS-232C or USB, or may be parallel communication.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a server 400 that provides HP information and the like via the Internet.
The server 400 includes a CPU 401, a RAM 402, and an R
It comprises an OM 403, a display unit 404, a sound output unit 405, a storage unit 406, an operation unit 407, and a communication unit 408, and each unit is connected to a bus 409 to enable mutual data communication. Have been. In general, a DNS server is separately provided or a local LAN for a firewall and a filter is provided to secure the function as a WWW server. However, in this embodiment, for simplicity, First, a configuration in which one server 400 is directly connected to the Internet will be described. Further, the server 400 is similar to a computer of a general WWW server, and therefore, a description will be given focusing on a characteristic portion according to the present embodiment.

The storage unit 406 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and includes HP information 406a, authentication information 406b, DL
It stores toy data 406c and billing information 406d.

The HP information 406a is information on HP such as a general HP, a member HP, and a pay HP. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical structure of a URL for an HP disclosed by the server 400 on the Internet. In FIG. 15, the URL of the top page is “htt
p: //www.aaa.aa ", and the website of this URL is publicly available (FIG. 3). And HP for members
"Http: //www.aa
a.aa / member ", and below that, as the URL of the HP (Fig. 5) for Jidosha Shukan (http: //www.aaa.aa/me
“mber / zukan” is “http: //www.aaa.aa/member/catalog” as the URL of the catalog HP (FIG. 6). Then, below the URL for the catalog, there are URLs corresponding to each toy type.

Further, there is “http: //www.aaa.aa/member/pay” as an HP for a paid HP menu (FIG. 7).
Below that, the UR of the HP for driving games (Fig. 8)
"Http: //www.aaa.aa/member/pay/drivin" as L
Is "ht" as the URL of the HP for the puzzle game (Fig. 9).
tp: //www.aaa.aa/member/pay/puzzle ". Then, below the URL for the puzzle game, there is a URL corresponding to each toy type.

The authentication information 406b is for authenticating whether or not the user who has accessed the member HP is an authorized member. As shown in FIG. 16, the toy type code and the serial number of the toy, It is a data table that stores passwords in association with each other.

The DL toy data 406c is a set of toy data for all types of toys,
The toy data of the corresponding toy type is downloaded from P. Specifically, in the member's HP of the “catalog” shown in FIG. 6, the user who operates the personal computer 100 operates the download button 500 at the lower left in FIG.
Is selected, the information of the "catalog" is downloaded. That is, a download program link is provided on the download button 500, and when the download button 500 is selected, the download program is automatically executed, and the download of toy data via the Internet is performed. Be executed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the DL toy data 406c. In FIG. 17, DL toy data 406c includes “C00”, “C01”, “C02”,
..., such as toy data for each toy type. Then, in executing the download, only the toy data corresponding to the toy type is downloaded. For this reason, for example, toy data for “C01” and toy data for “C02” are stored in the toy data 106f in the personal computer 100 shown in FIG.

The billing information 406d is a data table for storing the number of points required for browsing the paid HP as shown in FIG. In the figure, "1" point is stored. Note that a different number of consumption points may be assigned to the contents in the pay HP, that is, each of the “driving game” and the “puzzle game” in the present embodiment.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described mainly for the personal computer 100. FIG. 19 shows the personal computer 1
It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow in 00.
In the personal computer 100, the CPU 101 first causes the display unit 104 to display a menu screen for selecting a process to be executed, and displays a toy data display process, a member HP access process,
The user is prompted to select which of the paid HP access processes to execute, and waits for an input from the user (step S
1). When the toy data display process is selected by the user, the CPU 101 executes the toy data output program 1
06b is read from the storage unit 106, and the execution of the toy data display process is started.

When the toy 300 is placed on the reader 200 (step S2), the CPU 101 reads the ID code from the toy 300 via the reader 200 or the like by executing the toy recognition program 106a (step S2). Step S3). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the toy data corresponding to the read ID code is in the retained toy data 106f (step S).
4) If no, an error message is displayed on the display unit 1.
04 (step S5), and the process ends.
Also, when there is toy data, the CPU 101
After reading the toy data from the toy data 106f (step S6), displaying the video included in the toy data on the display unit 104, and outputting the music, voice, and the like included in the toy data from the sound output unit 105 (Step S7), the process ends.

In step S1, the member HP
When the access process is selected, the CPU 101
The member HP access process shown in FIG. 20 is executed (step S10), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the pay HP access process is selected, the pay HP access process shown in FIG. 21 is executed (step S20), and the process ends. In these access processes, the personal computer 100
Requests the specific information stored on the server 400 side (access request), and receives the information from the server 400 side.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the member HP access process. In executing the member HP access process, first, the CPU 101 reads out the member HP access program 106c from the storage unit 106 and starts executing the member HP access process. When the toy 300 is placed on the reader 200 (step A1), the CPU 101 executes the toy recognition program 1
By executing Step 06a, the ID code and the password are read from the toy 300 via the reader 200 or the like (Step A2). Next, the CPU 101 specifies the URL of the member HP corresponding to the read ID code from the access data 106g, and accesses the HP on the server 400 via the communication unit 108 or the like (step A3).

Next, the CPU 101 transmits the ID code and the password read in step A2 to the server 400, whereby authentication is performed in the server 400 (step A4). If the authentication result is OK, browsing (more precisely, downloading of HP information from the server 400) for the URL specified in step A3 is started (step A5). If the authentication result is NG, the CPU 101 determines that the user is not a legitimate user, displays an error message on the display unit 104 (step A6), and ends the processing.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pay HP access process. In executing the paid HP access processing, first, the CPU 101 reads out the paid HP access program 106d from the storage unit 106,
The execution of the paid HP access process is started. When the toy 300 is placed on the reader 200 (Step B)
1) The CPU 101 executes the toy recognition program 106a, and thereby the toy 3
The ID code, the password, and the billing information are read from 00 (step B2).

Next, the CPU 101 reads the read ID.
Access URL 1 of the paid HP URL corresponding to the code
From the server 4 via the communication unit 108 or the like.
The access to the HP on 00 is performed (step B3).

Next, the CPU 101 transmits the ID code and the password read in step B2 to the server 400, whereby authentication is performed in the server 400 (step B4). If the authentication result is NG, the CPU 101 determines that the user is not an authorized user,
An error message is displayed on the display unit 104 (step B13), and the process ends. If the authentication result is OK, the charge information is further checked.

That is, the CPU 101 determines in step B2
Is transmitted to the server 400, the server 400 checks the number of points to determine whether there is a point number necessary for browsing the paid HP (step B5). If it is determined that the paid HP cannot be browsed due to the shortage of points (step B6: No), a signal to that effect is sent to the CPU 10.
1 is received, an error message is displayed on the display unit 104 (step B14), and the pay HP access processing ends.

If it is determined that the paid HP can be browsed (step B6: Yes), the CPU 101
Based on the instruction to subtract the number of points from the server 400,
The number of points required for browsing the paid HP is subtracted from the charging information read in step B2 to update the charging information in the toy 300 (step B7). Then, the user browses the URL specified in step B3 (more precisely, downloads the HP information from the server 400).
Is started, and the top page of the paid HP (FIG. 7) is displayed on the display unit 101 (step B8).

Next, when a drive game selection input is made from the operation unit 107, the drive game H
When a puzzle game selection input is performed for browsing / execution of P (FIG. 8), the CPU 101 browses / executes a puzzle game HP (FIG. 9) (steps B9 to B11).

After the processing in step B10 or B11,
When the operation unit 107 inputs an instruction to end the processing, the pay HP access processing ends (step B1).
2: Yes), if an input indicating that the processing is not to be ended is made (step B12: No), the process proceeds to step B8.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, toy 300 imitating the shape of a specific actual vehicle stores toy information and the like that can be read from the outside. The personal computer 100
Based on the information read from the toy 100, image information and audio information related to the actual vehicle or the toy 300 representing the vehicle are provided to the user. Thereby, the toy 3
00 can be provided with a new function of providing information, in addition to the conventional way of playing by moving by hand or running / operating with a motor. As a result, the product appealing power of the toy 300 can be improved.

In particular, like the catalog HP and the puzzle game HP shown in FIG. 13, the information provided to the user is made different depending on each toy, the type or form of the toy. Those who can browse these contents are limited to users who own the specific toy 300. Therefore, the added value of the toy 300 can be further increased as the content of the content becomes more attractive to the user. Such differentiation of the provided information can increase the user's willingness to collect the toys 300, so that new demand can be expected.

In the present embodiment, information stored in the toy 300 is read using a data carrier system, and the toy 300 has a transponder 310 incorporated therein. Then, on the personal computer 100 side to which the reader 200 is connected, images and sounds corresponding to the type of the toy 300 and the like are automatically displayed and output. Therefore, it is possible to solve a problem relating to operability or durability, which is a problem in commercializing such a toy 300, and to realize a toy that is easy for children to handle. At the same time, since the data carrier system has relatively low component costs, even if a new function is added to the toy 300, it is possible to suppress an increase in the product price.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a data carrier that is advantageous in terms of cost and durability is employed in view of the fact that the target of the toy 300 is mainly a child. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it does not matter whether it is a contact type or a non-contact type.
Any method may be used as long as the information on the 00 side can be accessed. For example, similar access can be performed by a non-contact access method such as reading a barcode (including a two-dimensional barcode) written on the surface of the toy 300 with a barcode reader. In addition, OCR,
It is also possible to use a magnetic card, an IC card, a flash memory, a magnetic drive, a resistance sensor, and the like.

The form of the toy 300 may be any form as long as the toy 300 represents a specific image object by an expression technique that the user can recall from the appearance. As in the present embodiment, a model imitating the shape of an automobile is an image of a shape object by the most popular expression method of imitating the shape. Therefore, the present invention is applicable to toys such as railways, robots, dolls, and characters that can be expressed by the same expression method. The present invention is also applicable to a character card on which a cartoon character is printed. This is because various forms of characters are drawn on the surface of a character card, which is a form of a toy, and reminds the user of a specific character, like a model. In this case, as a method of storing information on the character card side, a data carrier or a built-in memory may be used, but it is preferable to use a barcode which is advantageous in terms of cost.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the number of points, which is billing information, is reduced every time a paid HP is browsed. However, in a driving game or the like, a high score is obtained to recover or reduce the number of points. It may be doubled. In the above-described embodiment, the billing information is stored in the toy 300. However, the personal computer 1 has a toy-specific ID (toy information).
By controlling 0, it is also possible to centrally manage the billing on the server 400 side.

The points may be increased by executing a point addition process as shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the point addition process in the personal computer 100. 22, when the toy 300 is placed on the reader 200 (step C1), the CPU 101
The ID code, the password, and the billing information are read from inside the toy 300 via 0 or the like (step C2). Next, the URL for point addition is accessed (step C3), and when the authentication is confirmed on the server 400 side (step C4), the authentication number of a payment mechanism such as a credit card or a debit card is further input by inputting the authentication number. (Step C5), the number of points is increased in exchange for a predetermined amount, and the points in the toy 300 are rewritten (Step C6). If the authentication result in step C4 is NG, the CPU 101 displays an error message on the display unit 104 (step C7), and ends the point addition processing.

In the above embodiment, the personal computer 100 has been described as an example.
It may be applied to a dedicated pedestal or the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, a kit 600 including a diorama pedestal main body 610 containing a reader 200 and an LCD display unit 604 on the back of the pedestal main body 610 is used instead of the personal computer 100. Then, the toy data may be displayed on the display unit 604 by placing the toy 300 on the pedestal main body 610.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, by downloading via a network such as the Internet,
It was explained that toy data was updated / added.
The storage medium such as a D-ROM may be configured to be updated / added.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, one toy data for one toy is described, but a plurality of toy data for one toy may be used. That is, when there is only one toy data for one toy, only one pattern display or sound output is performed, but when there is a plurality of toy data, the video or sound to be output is determined at random. Then, the variation of the toy data may be increased. Further, the toy data stored in the server 400 may be appropriately updated, various toy data may be stored, and downloadable. Further, based on the access date and time from the personal computer 100, the toy data to be downloaded may be changed between day and night, or the toy data to be downloaded may be changed between summer and winter.

In the above-described embodiment, the access data 106g is described as being stored in the personal computer 100. However, the corresponding URL or the like may be stored in the toy 300. That is, the U corresponding to the toy 300 is stored in the memory 318 of the transponder 310 of the toy 300.
The RL may be stored, and the personal computer 100 may access the homepage according to the URL stored in the toy 300. In this case, it is not necessary to store the access data 106g in the personal computer 100. Further, since the toy 300 and the URL can be handled integrally, the management of the URL corresponding to the toy 300 becomes easy.

Further, in this case, the e-
In addition to the mail address and the telephone number of the access point of the provider, all information necessary for logging in to the Internet may be stored.

Note that the various variations described above are:
The present invention can be appropriately applied to the second and subsequent embodiments described below.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an information providing system according to a second embodiment. This embodiment relates to an advertisement / promotion method using a toy 300. The toy 300 is labeled with a specific business entity (for example, the company name, CI, character, etc. of the business entity), and the user can recall the business entity from the appearance. As an example, on the side of the toy 300 imitating a truck, a shipping company name and a character reminding the user of the company are printed. Also, in the toy 300,
As the access information, a URL of a homepage relating to the transportation company is stored.

As the information providing apparatus as the user side system, the personal computer 100 and the reader 200 described in the first embodiment can be used. In the personal computer 100, the program described in the first embodiment is stored. It is installed (basically the same applies to an embodiment described later). When the user places the advertising toy 300 on the reader 200, the access information (U
RL) is read out to the personal computer 100 side. Then, the personal computer 100 accesses information on the server 400 side specified by the read access information. As a result, the homepage of the transportation company is displayed on the screen of the personal computer 100, and the advertisement / promotion information related to the transportation company is provided to the user.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the expression that reminds the specific business entity (subject) is made in the advertising toy 300. At the same time, the access information stored in the toy 300 is associated with an address on the network of the advertisement / promotion information regarding the business entity.
Therefore, it is possible to effectively provide the user who owns the advertising toy 300 with relevant information on the network regarding the business entity. As a result, the advertising toy 3
It is possible to improve the advertisement / advertising effect of 00.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of an information providing system according to a third embodiment. This embodiment relates to a method of setting up a network environment using a toy 300. Generally, a user who uses the Internet or the like needs to contract in advance with a provider that provides a network service. When the new user provides personal information to the provider and applies for a service subscription, the provider sends a toy 300.

The toy 300 is a figure having a character shape unique to the provider, and the user can recall the provider from the appearance. Also,
In the toy 300, environment setting information necessary for setting a network environment is stored. The environment setting information includes information necessary for dial-up connection and information for personal authentication, such as a user name, a DNS server address, a mail address, a receiving mail server (POP server), and a sending mail server (SMTP server). , A user-specific initial password, and the like.

The personal computer 100 and the reader 200 described in the first embodiment can be used as the information providing device as the user side system, and the program for executing the processing shown in FIG. I have. First, the user places the toy 300 on the reader 200.
Is placed. As a result, in step 101, the environment setting information stored in the placed toy 300 is read from the reader 200. Then, in step 102, parameter settings necessary for enabling the personal computer 100 to connect to the network are automatically performed based on the read environment setting information.

After the setting of the network environment is completed according to the above procedure, the user can set the figure-shaped toy 30
By simply placing 0 on the reader 200, dial-up is automatically established and network service can be provided.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the network setting toy 300 stores various kinds of information necessary for setting the network environment of the personal computer 100. Then, just by placing the toy 300 on the reader 200, network settings that are complicated and difficult for some users are automatically performed. Therefore, it is possible to significantly improve the convenience of a user who is difficult or unfamiliar with operations such as operating a computer and inputting an ID. In addition, providers can expect an increase in service subscribers due to this,
Since the toy 300 has a figure shape reminiscent of itself, an advertising / promotion effect can also be expected.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment,
A registration method of a user catalog of a toy having a collection property will be described. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the model (mini car) of the car illustrated in the first embodiment is used, but the present invention is also applicable to figures, character cards, and the like representing various forms of characters and the like.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a collection registration process on the personal computer 100 side. Prior to the collection registration, the user selects the toy 300 to be registered.
Is placed on the reader 200. Thereby, the personal computer 1
FIG. 10 (b), FIG.
Read the toy information shown in (c) (Step 20)
1). Next, a toy type for distinguishing the type of the toy 300 is newly added to the collection file (step 20).
2). This collection file is included in the personal computer 100 on the client side, and is a file for managing the type of the toy 300 owned by the user. Then, the personal computer 100 transmits information on the updated collection file to the server 400 (step 203).

The server 400 that has received this information recognizes the collection information from the client side, and displays a toy collection screen as shown in FIG. 28 on the user's personal computer 100 side. In the figure, toy types not owned by the user are displayed in blank.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the type of the toy 300 held by the user is managed by the collection file, the user can determine the current holding status of the toy 300 (the held type, the held Type) can be easily browsed. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the user's willingness to collect data described as the effect of the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the management of the user's collection is performed on the personal computer 100 side, but this management may be performed on the server 400 side. In particular,
On the server 400 side, a collection database for centrally managing the collection of each user is prepared. One record (collection record) in this database describes the collection information (including the type of the toy 300 held) of each user. When a collection update request is received from the personal computer 100 of a user, the server 400 searches the collection database and extracts records related to the user.
Then, based on the received data from the personal computer 100,
Update the information described in the record. As a result, the collection of the toys 300 currently owned by each user can be centrally managed on the server 400 side.

Further, a recording medium on which a computer program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded may be supplied to the personal computer 100 as an information providing apparatus. In this case, the object of the present invention can be achieved by the personal computer 100 reading and executing the computer program stored in the recording medium. Therefore, since the computer program itself read from the recording medium implements the novel functions of the present invention, the recording medium on which the program is recorded constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium recording a computer program, for example,
CD-ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, memory card, optical disk, DVD-RO
M, DVD-RAM and the like. Further, the computer program itself that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments also has new functions.

[0123]

According to the present invention, when the toy information is detected by the reader, the related information is automatically provided by the information providing device. Can easily see and hear related information. In addition, by using the related information as information for introducing the real thing represented by the toy or for introducing the toy itself, an interesting video or sound that stirs the imagination for the user (child) who owns the toy. Can be provided, and the added value to the toy can be increased. Furthermore, since the toy is provided with the transponder of the data carrier system, the toy can be satisfactory in terms of durability and price.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a personal computer, a reader, and a toy according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a general-purpose HP.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a member HP.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a menu page of a member HP.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an HP related to a catalog in a member HP.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a paid HP menu page.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an HP related to a driving game during a pay HP.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an HP related to a puzzle game during a paid HP.

10A is a functional block diagram of a transponder incorporated in a toy, and FIG. 10B is an ID stored in a memory of the transponder.
FIG. 1C shows an example of a code, FIG. 2C shows an ID code structure, FIG. 2D shows an example of a password, and FIG. 2E shows an example of billing information stored in a memory of a transponder.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a personal computer and a reader.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of possessed toy data stored in a storage unit of a personal computer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of access data stored in a storage unit of the personal computer.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a server.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a URL of an HP disclosed by the server on the Internet.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of authentication information stored in a storage unit of a server.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of DL toy data stored in a storage unit of the server.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of billing information stored in a storage unit of a server.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the entire operation of the personal computer;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of a member HP access process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a pay HP access process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of a point addition process.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a dedicated pedestal;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an information providing system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of an information providing system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a network environment setting process;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a collection registration process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a display screen of a toy collection.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 PCs, 101
CPU, 106 storage unit, 1
06a toy recognition program, 106b toy data output program, 106c member HP access program, 106d paid HP access program, 106f
Possession toy data, 106g access data, 108 communication section, 2
00 leader, 300 toys,
310 transponder, 318 memory,
318a ID code, 318b password, 318c billing information, 4
00 server, 401 C
PU, 406 storage unit, 40
6a HP information, 406b authentication information,
406c DL toy data, 406d Billing information

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A63F 13/10 A63F 13/10 13/12 13/12 BC A63H 17/00 A63H 17/00 Z G06F 17 / 60 146 G06F 17/60 146Z 504 504 (72) Inventor E Kato 7-9-10 Tateishi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo F-term in Tommy Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2C001 BA01 BA03 BC01 BC03 BC07 BC08 CA01 CA02 CA04 CB01 CB02 CB03 CB08 CC02 CC03 DA04 2C150 AA14 BA03 CA08 DA06 DK02 ED42 ED43 ED45 ED47 ED52 EF16 EF17 EF33 EF36

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. The reader detects toy information stored in the toy by data transmission by a non-contact data carrier system performed between the reader and the toy, and the information is determined based on the toy information detected by the reader. An information providing system in which a providing device provides related information related to the toy, wherein the information providing device obtains the provided related information by accessing an external storage unit based on the toy information. Characteristic information providing system. 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein said information providing device provides said related information by image and / or sound. 3. The reader has an interrogator of the contactless data carrier system, and the toy has a transponder of the contactless data carrier system and a storage medium for storing the toy information. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information providing system is provided. 4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein charging information is further stored in said toy, and said information providing device accesses an external storage means based on said toy information and said charging information. Information providing system described. 5. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the related information is obtained by accessing homepage information published on the Internet based on the toy information. apparatus. 6. The reader detects login information or counterpart address information stored in the storage medium by data transfer between the reader and a storage medium by a non-contact data carrier system, and the reader detects the login information or the counterpart address information. An information providing system, wherein the information providing device provides related information related to the storage medium based on information, wherein the information providing device is published on the Internet based on the login information or the counterpart address information. An information providing system for obtaining the related information by accessing the homepage information. 7. A server for providing the related information to the information providing apparatus in response to access by the information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision of the related information is disclosed on the Internet. A server that performs the processing based on predetermined homepage information. 8. An information providing system capable of transmitting information between an information providing apparatus and a server via a network, wherein a specific object is represented by an expression method that allows a user to recall from an external appearance, and is read from the outside. A toy in which possible access information is stored, a server storing information on the target or the toy, an access information stored in the toy is read, and an address on a network is specified from the read access information. An information providing apparatus for providing a user with related information related to the target or the toy by accessing information on the server side. 9. The information providing apparatus includes an interrogator in a non-contact data carrier system, and the toy includes a transponder capable of transferring data with the interrogator. The described information providing system. 10. The toy stores different access information according to the type or form of the toy, and the server stores different information according to the type or form of the toy. 10. The information providing system according to claim 8, wherein the related information provided to the user from the providing device differs depending on the type or form of the toy. 11. An expression which reminds a user of a specific subject in the toy, and that the related information provided to the user by the information providing device is information related to the subject. The information providing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: 12. A toy in which a specific object is represented by an expression method that allows a user to recall from an external appearance, a storage unit storing predetermined access information, and outputting the access information stored in the storage unit to the outside. Control means for controlling the storage means, wherein the access information is associated with an address of information on the object or the toy stored on the server side existing on the network. Toys to do. 13. The toy according to claim 12, wherein said control means is a transponder in a non-contact data carrier system. 14. The storage means stores different access information according to the type and form of the toy, and the address of information to be accessed stored on the server side is an external address from which the access information is read. 14. The toy according to claim 12, wherein the toy is specified based on a correspondence between the access information and the address, which is set in advance on a system side. 15. The toy according to claim 12, wherein the access information is an address of information to be accessed stored on the server side. 16. The toy according to claim 12, wherein the access information differs depending on the type or form of the toy. 17. The toy has an expression reminiscent of a specific subject to a user, and the access information is associated with an address of information on the subject stored in a server existing on a network. The toy according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the toy is provided. 18. The authentication method according to claim 12, wherein said storage means stores authentication information necessary for authentication performed when accessing information stored in a server existing on a network. 13. The toy described in 13. 19. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said storage means stores billing information for controlling user's access to information stored on a server existing on a network. Toys. 20. A toy in which a specific provider providing a network service is represented by an expression technique that allows a user to recall from the appearance, wherein setting information on a user terminal side necessary for receiving the network service provided by the provider is stored. A toy comprising: a storage unit configured to output setting information stored in the storage unit to the outside, the control unit controlling the storage unit. 21. An information providing apparatus for providing information to a user by transmitting information to and from a server via a network, wherein a specific object is represented by an expression technique that allows the user to recall from the appearance. From the toy, control means for reading the access information recorded on the toy, and in order to provide the user with the relevant information related to the target or the toy, according to the address specified from the read access information, An information providing device comprising: a communication unit that receives information from a server. 22. The information providing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said control means includes an interrogator in a contactless data carrier system. 23. A server in which an address on a network is specified based on access information recorded on a toy that expresses a specific object by an expression method that allows a user to recall from the appearance, wherein information on the object or the toy is stored. A server comprising: a storage unit; and a communication unit that transmits information stored in the storage unit to the user system in response to a request from the user system that has read the access information recorded on the toy. . 24. An information providing method for providing information to a user by transmitting information via a network to and from a server, wherein a specific object is represented by an expression technique that allows the user to recall from the appearance. Reading the access information recorded on the toy from the toy; requesting the information stored on the server according to the address specified by the read access information; Providing a user with related information related to the target or the toy based on the information. 25. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing an information providing method for providing information to a user by performing information transmission with a server via a network is provided. Reading out the access information recorded on the toy from the toy expressed by the user in an expression method that the user can recall from the appearance; and storing the access information stored in the server according to the address specified by the read access information. A recording medium for executing an information providing method, comprising: a step of requesting information that has been received, and a step of providing a user with related information related to the target or the toy based on information received from a server side.